A deep dive into R.E.M. and Live, well beyond the radio hits. Jangly guitars, big feelings, "Nightswimming."
Sitting Still is a 50-song deep dive into two of the defining alt-rock bands of the late 80s and 90s: R.E.M. and Live. R.E.M. takes half the list, opening with “Sitting Still” and including “Monty Got A Raw Deal,” “What’s The Frequency, Kenneth?,” “Nightswimming” and “Bad Day.”
Live brings 18 tracks, with “All Over You,” “Turn My Head” and “Forever May Not Be Long Enough” among them. A few guests fill out the edges: Air Traffic Controller, Manic Street Preachers, Crash Test Dummies, Ed Sheeran and a Live collaboration with AVIRA. It’s jangly guitars, earnest lyrics and that mix of melancholy and big-chorus release that made both bands so huge. Great for a thoughtful drive, a rainy afternoon, or a nostalgic deep listen when you want to hear more than the radio hits. It’s a reminder that both bands had incredible catalogues beyond the singles, and that “Nightswimming” is still one of the most beautiful songs ever written.
Mood: Throwback · Moody & Reflective
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